Oral Care Implement

ABSTRACT

An oral care implement sanitization system that includes an oral care implement and a case for storing the oral care implement and activating a sanitization or sterilization procedure. The oral care implement may include tooth cleaning elements, a light source, and a first electrical coupling element operably coupled to the light source. The case may include a housing having a cavity for holding the oral care implement, a power source, and a second electrical coupling element operably coupled to the power source. When the oral care implement is positioned within the cavity of the housing of the case, the first and second electrical coupling elements are operably coupled together. Operable coupling of the first and second electrical coupling elements initiates, either immediately or upon the occurrence of some additional action, activation of the light source for sanitizing or sterilizing the tooth cleaning elements.

BACKGROUND

Regular sanitization of an oral care implement such as a toothbrush isdesirable to kill harmful germs and bacteria often found on the cleaningelements or bristles of the oral care implement. It has previously beenknown to apply ultraviolet light to the oral care implement to killthese harmful germs and bacteria. However, prior attempts to useultraviolet light to kill germs and bacteria on oral care implements aredeficient for several reasons. Specifically, previous systems that useultraviolet light to sanitize oral care implements may expose the userof the oral care implement to the ultraviolet light, which can beharmful to the user. Additionally, such prior systems fail to focus theultraviolet light on the base of the tooth cleaning elements which isthe region that is most likely to harbor bacteria growth. Finally, suchprior systems are costly particularly where the circuitry is formed as apart of the oral care implement which must be replaced fairlyfrequently. An oral care implement sanitization system that overcomesthe above-noted deficiencies in a cost-effective and ready-to-use manneris needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to an oral careimplement sanitization system that includes an oral care implement and acase for storing the oral care implement and activating a sanitizationor sterilization procedure. The oral care implement may include toothcleaning elements, a light source, and a first electrical couplingelement operably coupled to the light source. The case may include ahousing having a cavity for holding the oral care implement, a powersource, and a second electrical coupling operably coupled to the powersource. When the oral care implement is positioned within the cavity ofthe housing of the case, the first and second electrical couplingelements are operably coupled together. The first and second electricalcoupling elements may be pairs of electrical contacts, inductive coils,or the like. Operable coupling of the first and second electricalcoupling elements initiates, either immediately or upon the occurrenceof some additional action, activation of the light source for sanitizingor sterilizing the tooth cleaning elements.

In one aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement sanitizationsystem comprising: an oral care implement comprising: a body having ahandle portion and a head portion, a plurality of tooth cleaningelements extending from the head portion; a light source located in thehead portion and configured to sanitize the plurality of tooth cleaningelements; and a first electrical coupling element operably coupled tothe light source; a case for storing the oral care implement andactivating the light source to sanitize the plurality of tooth cleaningelements, the case comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for holdingthe oral care implement; a power source; and a second electricalcoupling element operably coupled to the power source; and wherein whenthe oral care implement is positioned within the cavity of the housingof the case, the first electrical coupling element of the oral careimplement is operably coupled to the second electrical coupling elementof the case.

In another aspect, the invention may be a kit for storage andsanitization of a toothbrush, the kit comprising: a toothbrushcomprising: a body having a plurality of tooth cleaning elementsextending therefrom; a light source configured to sanitize the pluralityof tooth cleaning elements; and a first electrical coupling elementoperably coupled to the light source; a case comprising: a housinghaving a cavity for holding the toothbrush; a power source; and a secondelectrical coupling element operably coupled to the power source; andwherein when the toothbrush is positioned within the cavity of thehousing of the case, the first electrical coupling element is operablycoupled to the second electrical coupling element and the light sourceis activated to transmit UV light towards the plurality of toothcleaning elements.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implementsanitization system comprising: an oral care implement comprising: ahandle and a head that is detachably coupled to the handle, a pluralityof tooth cleaning elements extending from the head; a light sourceconfigured to sanitize the plurality of tooth cleaning elements; and afirst electrical coupling element operably coupled to the light source;a case for storing the oral care implement and activating the lightsource to sanitize the plurality of tooth cleaning elements, the casecomprising: a housing comprising a cavity for holding the oral careimplement; a power source; and a second electrical coupling elementoperably coupled to the power source; and wherein when the oral careimplement is positioned within the cavity of the housing of the case,the first electrical coupling element of the oral care implement isoperably coupled to the second electrical coupling element of the caseand the light source is activated for a predetermined period of time.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of an oral care implement in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a close-up cross-sectional view of a head portion of the oralcare implement of FIG. 2 with a head plate exploded away;

FIG. 3B is a close-up view of the head portion of the oral careimplement of FIG. 2 with the head plate coupled to the head portion;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an oral care implement being inserted intoa case in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the oralcare implement fully inserted into the case;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the oral care implement being insertedinto a case in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 with the oralcare implement fully inserted into the case;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an oral care implement being inserted intoa case in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the oralcare implement fully inserted into the case;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an oral care implement being insertedinto a case in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of FIG. 10 with the oral care implementfully inserted into the case and a cover separated from a housing of thecase;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of FIG. 11 with the cover coupled to thehousing of the case;

FIG. 13A is a schematic view of an oral care implement being insertedinto a case in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13B is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 13A with the oralcare implement fully inserted into the case;

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a head portion of an oral careimplement in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of a head portion of an oral careimplement in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Referring to FIG. 1, an oral care implement 100 is illustrated inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In theexemplified embodiment, the oral care implement 100 is in the form of amanual toothbrush. However, in certain other embodiments the oral careimplement 100 can take on other forms such as being a poweredtoothbrush, a tongue scraper, a gum and soft tissue cleanser, a waterpick, an interdental device, a tooth polisher, a specially designedansate implement having cleaning elements, or any other type ofimplement that is commonly used for oral care. In embodiments that usera powered toothbrush, the toothbrush could have bristles that arevibrated by a motor and eccentric or bristles that are on a plate thatrotates/oscillates. In some embodiments the oral care implement 100 maybe any type of personal care implement, and not one that is specificallyused for oral care, such as a deodorant application implement, a face orbody cleaning implement, a razor, a hairbrush, or the like. Basically,the invention is directed to a system for sanitizing the oral careimplement 100, and thus any type of implement which might requiresanitization, whether it be for oral care, personal care, or other typeof care, can be used as the oral care implement in various embodiments.

The oral care implement 100 comprises a body 101 having a handle portion110 and a head portion 120. The oral care implement 100 extends from aproximal end 103 to a distal end 104 along a longitudinal axis A-A. Inthe exemplified embodiment the body 101, including the handle portion110 and the head portion 120, is an integral structure that is formed asa single, unitary component. Furthermore, the oral care implement 100 inthe exemplified embodiment includes a head plate 121 that is coupled tothe head portion 120 of the body 101 to form a head 102 of the oral careimplement 100. Thus, the head 102 comprises both the head portion 120and the head plate 121 in the exemplified embodiment. In otherembodiments, the head plate 121 may be omitted to form a moreconventional style oral care implement that uses staple technology forsecuring the tooth cleaning elements to the head.

The handle portion 110 is an elongated structure that provides themechanism by which the user can hold and manipulate the oral careimplement 100 during use. In the exemplified embodiment, the handleportion 110 is generically depicted having various contours for usercomfort. Of course, the invention is not to be limited by the specificshape illustrated for the handle portion 110 in all embodiments and incertain other embodiments the handle portion 110 can take on a widevariety of shapes, contours, and configurations, none of which arelimiting of the present invention unless so specified in the claims.

The handle portion 110 may be formed of a hard or rigid plasticmaterial, such as for example without limitation polymers and copolymersof ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds, and polyesters suchas polyethylene terephthalate. The handle portion 110 may also include agrip that is formed of a resilient/elastomeric material, such as athermoplastic elastomer. Such a grip may be molded over a portion of thehandle portion 110 that is typically gripped by a user's thumb andforefinger during use. Furthermore, it should be appreciated thatadditional regions of the handle portion 110 can be overmolded with theresilient/elastomeric material to enhance the gripability of the handleportion 110 during use. For example, portions of the handle portion 110that are typically gripped by a user's palm during use may be overmoldedwith a thermoplastic elastomer or other resilient material to furtherincrease comfort to a user. Furthermore, materials other than thosenoted above can be used to form the handle portion 110, including metal,wood, or any other desired material that has sufficient structuralrigidity to permit a user to grip the handle portion 110 and manipulatethe oral care implement 100 during oral care activities such astoothbrushing or personal care activities such as facial cleansing.

The head portion 120 of the oral care implement 100 is coupled to thehandle portion 110 and comprises a front surface 122 and an opposingrear surface 123. In the exemplified embodiment, the head portion 120 isformed integrally with the handle portion 110 as a single unitarystructure using a molding (i.e., injection molding), milling, machining,or other suitable process. However, in other embodiments the handleportion 110 and the head portion 120 may be formed as separatecomponents which are operably connected at a later stage of themanufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art,including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fitassembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, orfasteners. Thus, the head portion 120 may, in certain embodiments, beformed of any of the rigid plastic materials described above as beingused for forming the handle portion 110, although the invention is notto be so limited in all embodiments and other materials that arecommonly used during toothbrush head manufacture may also be used.

In the exemplified embodiment, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements111 are coupled to and extend from the head portion 120 of the oral careimplement 100. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment thetooth cleaning elements 111 extend from the front surface 122 of thehead portion 120. A tongue or soft tissue cleaner (not depicted) may bepositioned on the rear surface 123 of the head portion 120. Such atongue or soft tissue cleaner may be formed of an elastomeric materialand may include protrusions, nubs, ridges, scrapers, or the like forengaging and cleaning a user's oral tissue surfaces.

The term “tooth cleaning elements” is used in a generic sense to referto any structure that can be used to clean, polish, or wipe the teethand/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) throughrelative surface contact. Common examples of “tooth cleaning elements”include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiberbristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomericprotrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/orstructures containing such materials or combinations. The tooth cleaningelements may include tapered bristles, non-tapered (i.e., end rounded)bristles, and combinations thereof. Any combination of the various typesof tooth cleaning elements may be used on the oral care implement 100 indifferent embodiments. Thus, although the exemplified embodimentillustrates all of the tooth cleaning elements 111 as bristle filaments,the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and bristlefilaments alone, a combination of bristle filaments and rubber bristles,rubber bristles alone, or other combinations of the different toothcleaning element types identified above may be used.

In embodiments that use elastomeric/rubber elements as one or more ofthe tooth cleaning elements 111, suitable elastomeric materials mayinclude any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in anoral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaningbenefits, the elastomeric material of any such tooth or soft tissueengaging elements may have a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material isstyrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured byGLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers orother materials within and outside the noted hardness range could beused. Although the exemplified embodiment illustrates the use ofanchor-free tufting (AFT) for securing the tooth cleaning elements 111to the head portion 120 of the body 101, the invention is not to be solimited in all embodiments. The tooth cleaning elements 111 may becoupled to the head portion 120 of the body 101 using any techniqueknown in the art, such as stapling, AFT, in-mold tufting, AMR, or thelike. The invention is not to be limited by the manner in which thetooth cleaning elements 111 are coupled to the head portion 120 in allembodiments, although some examples of specific tooth cleaning elementcoupling techniques will be discussed below with specific reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

Referring to FIG. 2, the oral care implement 100 is illustrated incross-section to describe some of the internal details of the oral careimplement 100. The oral care implement 100 comprises a light source 130located within the body 101. In the exemplified embodiment, the lightsource 130 is located within the head portion 120 of the body 101.However, the invention is not to be limited in this regard in allembodiments and the light source 130 may be positioned at otherlocations within the body 101 in other embodiments. However, there areadvantages to placing the light source 130 within the head portion 120of the body 101, such as ensuring that the light emitted from the lightsource 130 is directed at the tooth cleaning elements 111 to sanitizethem.

The light source 130 may be configured to transmit ultraviolet (UV)light upon its activation by supplying power to the light source 130 asdescribed in more detail herein below. Specifically, the light source130 may transmit UVA, UVB, or UVC light as desired. In some instancesUVA or UVB light may be preferable, and in other instances UVC light maybe preferable due to its germicidal effects. When UVA or UVB (or evenUVC) light is used, an enhancement material such as titanium dioxide(TiO₂), silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), or tin dioxide (SnO₂) may also beincorporated into the oral care implement 100 to increase the sanitizingeffects of the UV light. In such embodiments, the light will passthrough the enhancement material before reaching the tooth cleaningelements 111. UVC light is germicidal on its own, but an enhancementmaterial may be used with UVC light to further increase the sanitizingeffects in some embodiments. The use of an enhancement material will bedescribed in greater detail with specific reference to FIGS. 14A and14B.

The light source 130 is operably coupled to a first electrical couplingelement 105, which in the exemplified embodiments includes a firstelectrical contact 132 and a second electrical contact 134. Morespecifically, the light source 130 is coupled to a first electricalconductor 131, which in turn is coupled to the first electrical contact132. The light source is also coupled to a second electrical conductor133, which in turn is coupled to the second electrical contact 134. Inthe exemplified embodiment each of the first and second electricalconductors 131, 133 is an electrical wire, but the invention is not tobe so limited in all embodiments and other components known forelectrical conductivity may be used. Other than the light source 130,the first and second electrical conductors 131, 133, and the first andsecond electrical contacts 132, 134, there are no further electricalcomponents in the oral care implement 100. Specifically, there is nopower source located within the oral care implement 100 (i.e., the oralcare implement 100 is devoid or free of a power source). Thus, the oralcare implement 100 is incapable, by itself, of supplying power to andactivating the light source 130. Rather, the oral care implement, andspecifically the first and second electrical contacts 132, 134 thereof,must be coupled to a separate device that has a power source to activatethe light source 130 for sanitizing of the tooth cleaning elements 111.

The first and second electrical contacts 132, 134 may be referred toherein as a first pair of electrical contacts. This is because the firstand second electrical contacts 132, 134 are both operably coupled to thelight source 130 and both need to be coupled to a power source in orderto activate the light source 130. Alternatively, the first and secondelectrical contacts 132, 134 may be collectively referred to herein asthe first electrical coupling element 105. It should be appreciated thatother types of electrical coupling elements may be used, such asinductive coils as described below with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.Thus, the term “electrical coupling element” may be used herein to referto an electrical contact, a pair of electrical contacts, a coil used forinductive energy transfer, or similar.

In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second electricalcontacts 132, 134 is located on a rear surface 117 of the handle portion110 of the body 101. However, the invention is not to be so limited inall embodiments and the first and second electrical contacts 132, 134may be located on a front surface 118 of the handle portion 110 of thebody 101, or in other embodiments one of the first and second electricalcontacts 132, 134 may be located on the front surface 118 of the handleportion 110 and the other of the first and second electrical contacts132, 134 may be located on the rear surface 117 of the handle portion110 (or on lateral surfaces of the body 101 between the front and rearsurfaces 117, 118). The first and second electrical contacts 132, 134may also be located on the rear surface 123 of the head portion 120 insome embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment the first and secondelectrical contacts 132, 134 are located near the proximal end 103 ofthe oral care implement 100 in a closely spaced apart manner, butgreater spacing between the first and second electrical contacts 132,134 and a location further up on the handle portion 110 closer to thehead portion 120 or even within the head portion 120 is possible inother embodiments. Thus, the invention is not to be particularly limitedby the location of the first and second electrical contacts 132, 134 inall embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second electricalcontacts 132, 134 protrudes from the rear surface 117 of the handleportion 110 of the body 101. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment thefirst and second electrical contacts 132, 134 are exposed at the rearsurface 117 of the handle portion 110 of the body 101. However, theinvention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in otherembodiments the first and second electrical contacts 132, 134 may beflush with the rear surface 117 of the handle portion 110 of the body101 or may be recessed relative to the rear surface 117 of the handleportion 110 of the body 101. It may in fact be preferable to recess thefirst and second electrical contacts 132, 134 relative to the surface(rear or front) of the body 101 at which they are located to preventwater or other fluids from contacting the first and second electricalcontacts 132, 134 and possibly preventing their effective functionalityin activating the light source 130. Furthermore, making them flush orrecessed with the rear surface 117 of the handle portion 110 rather thanprotruding therefrom increase grip comfort during use.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B concurrently, the structure of the head102 will be described in greater detail. The head portion 120 of thebody 101 comprises a basin 124 defined by a floor 125 and sidewalls 126extending upwardly from the floor 125 to the front surface 122 of thehead portion 120. In the exemplified embodiment, the light source 130 isembedded within the head portion 120 and forms a portion of the floor125 of the basin 124. However, the invention is not to be so limited inall embodiments and in other embodiments the light source 130 may belocated entirely between the floor 125 and the rear surface 123 of thehead portion 120 without forming any part of the floor 125. In stillother embodiments the light source 130 may be located within the basin124 between the floor 125 and the front surface 122 of the head portion120.

As discussed above, the head 102 also includes the head plate 121 whichis coupled to the head portion 120 of the body 101 to form the fullyformed head 102. The head plate 121 comprises a front surface 127 and anopposite rear surface 128. Furthermore, the head plate 121 comprisesholes 129 that extend through the head plate 121 from the front surface127 of the head plate 121 to the rear surface 128 of the head plate 121.During manufacturing, the tooth cleaning elements 111 are bundledtogether into tufts, and each of the tufts is inserted into one of thetuft holes 129 so that a first portion of the tufts protrudes from thefront surface 127 of the head plate 121 and a second portion of thetufts protrudes from the rear surface 128 of the head plate 121. Thefirst portion of the tufts is used for contacting a user's oralsurfaces. The second portion of the tufts are melted by heat and thenallowed to cool, thereby forming a layer on the rear surface 128 of thehead plate 121 that is known as a melt mat 135. The melt mat 135 ispositioned adjacent to the rear surface 128 of the head plate 120 andprevents the tooth cleaning elements 111 from being pulled through theholes 129 in a direction of the front surface 127 of the head plate 121.

As shown in FIG. 3B, in the fully formed oral care implement 100, thehead plate 121 is inserted into the basin 124 of the head portion 120 ofthe body 101 and coupled thereto using techniques known in the art suchas ultrasonic welding, adhesion, interference fit, or the like. When thehead plate 121 is inserted into the basin 124, the melt mat 135 becomestrapped between the rear surface 128 of the head plate 121 and the floor125 of the basin 122. This effectively secures the tooth cleaningelements 111 to the head 102 and prevents them from being separatedtherefrom.

In the exemplified embodiment, the head plate 121 is positioned withinthe basin 124 so that the light source 130 is adjacent to the melt mat135. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the light source130 is in direct surface contact with the melt mat 135, although this isnot required in all embodiments and a space between the melt mat 135 andthe light source 130 may be provided in other embodiments. In someembodiments the tooth cleaning elements 111, and hence also the melt mat135 which is formed from the tooth cleaning elements 111, may be formedof a light transmissive material (i.e., transparent or translucent) tofacilitate transmission of the light emitted from the light sourcethrough the melt mat 135 and into the tooth cleaning elements 111 toachieve effective sanitization thereof. Bacteria are most likely to growin wet environments, such as the base/root of the tooth cleaningelements 111 near the melt mat 135. Thus, positioning the light source130 as illustrated ensures that the UV light emitted from the lightsource 130 will contact those regions of the tooth cleaning elements 111that are most prone to bacterial growth.

Although the exemplified embodiment shows the head 102 being formed fromthe head portion 120 of the body 101 and the head plate 121 using an AFTtechnique, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Insome alternative embodiments that are not illustrated herein, the head102 may be a single unitary structure such that the head plate 121 isomitted and such that the head portion 120 does not have a basin. Insuch embodiment, the head portion 120 may have tuft holes therein, andthe tooth cleaning elements 111 may be inserted into the tuft holes inthe head portion 120 and secured thereto using staples as is known inthe art. Thus, any known technique for securing the tooth cleaningelements 111 to the head 102 may be used in accordance with the presentinvention and the invention is not to be particularly limited in thisregard in all embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, an oral care implement sanitization system 1000 isillustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.The oral care implement sanitization system 1000 generally comprises theoral care implement 100 described above and a case 200 for storing theoral care implement 100 and activating the light source 130. The case200 generally comprises a housing 210 and a cover 250. The housing 210comprises a cavity 211 for holding the oral care implement 100. Thecavity 211 has an open top end 221 through which the oral care implement100 can be inserted into and removed from the cavity 211. The cover 250can be coupled to the housing 210 to close the open top end 221 of thecavity 211. In the exemplified embodiment, the cover 250 is a separatecomponent from the housing 210 that may be coupled to the housing 210 toenclose the cavity 211. However, in other embodiments the cover 250 maybe always coupled to the housing (such as via a hinge) but alterablebetween a first state in which the cavity 211 is open (i.e., the opentop end 221 is not closed) and a second state in which the open top end221 of the cavity 211 is closed by the cover 250.

The cavity 211 of the housing 210 comprises a first portion 212configured to retain a first portion of the oral care implement 100 anda second portion 213 configured to retain a second portion of the oralcare implement 100. In certain embodiments, the first portion 212 of thecavity 211 may operate as an alignment member to only permit the oralcare implement 100 to be inserted into the cavity 211 in a specificorientation designed to ensure that power is supplied to the lightsource 130 as described in greater detail below. This can beaccomplished, by way of example without limitation, by forming the firstportion 212 of the cavity 211 with a cross-sectional shape thatcorresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the handle portion 110 of thebody 101 or by having corresponding protrusions and recesses on thefirst portion 212 of the cavity 211 and the handle portion 110 of thebody 101.

The housing 210 comprises a compartment 214 for holding a power source215, which in the exemplified embodiment is a battery. Although abattery is illustrated, the invention is not to be so limited and anytype of power source may be used. The compartment 214 is closed by adoor 220 that can be opened to provide a user with access to the powersource 215 for replacement thereof as necessary. The compartment 214 isseparated from the cavity 211 such that any fluid that enters into thecavity 211 will not be able to penetrate into the compartment 214. Thedoor 220 also helps to prevent fluids from entering into the compartment214. This is to protect the power source 215 against water damage thatmay destroy its ability to supply power to the light source 130 in theoral care implement 100.

The power source 215 is operably coupled to a second electrical couplingelement 205. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment, locatedwithin the compartment 214 of the case 200 is a first electricalconductor 216 configured to be coupled to the cathode or positiveterminal of the power source 215 and a second electrical conductor 217configured to be coupled to the anode or negative terminal of the powersource 215. Furthermore, the first electrical conductor 216 is operablycoupled to a first electrical contact 218 and the second electricalconductor 217 is operably coupled to a second electrical contact 219.The first and second electrical contacts 218, 219 collectively form thesecond electrical coupling element 205 and may be referred to herein asa second pair of electrical contacts. In the exemplified embodiment, thefirst and second electrical contacts 218, 219 of the case 200 areoperably coupled to the power source 215 via the first and secondelectrical conductors 216, 217. However, the first and second electricalcontacts 218, 219 are spaced apart from one another.

In the exemplified embodiment, the case 200 further comprises aprocessor 240 operably coupled to the power source 215. The processor240 may include its own separate power source for powering the processor240 or the power source 215 may provide power to the processor 240. Theprocessor 240 may be configured to control operation of the power source115. For example, the processor 240 may include a timing circuit suchthat the processor 240 only permits the power source 115 to providepower to the light source 130 for a predetermined period of time beforestopping the power source 115 from providing power to the light source130 to control the length of time that the light source 130 emits light.The processor 240 is not required in all embodiments and it may beomitted in some embodiments particularly where control of the activationtime of the light source 130 is not needed or desired.

FIG. 5 illustrates the oral care implement sanitization system 1000 withthe oral care implement 100 fully inserted into the cavity 211 of thecase 200. When the oral care implement 100 is inserted into the cavity211 of the case 200, first and second electrical coupling elements 105,205 are operably coupled together. In the exemplified embodiment, thisis achieved by operably coupling the first pair of electrical contacts132, 134 of the oral care implement 100 to the second pair of electricalcontacts 218, 219 of the case 200. Specifically, the first electricalcontact 132 of the oral care implement 100 is operably coupled to thefirst electrical contact 218 of the case 200 and the second electricalcontact 134 of the oral care implement 100 is operably coupled to thesecond electrical contact 219 of the case 200. This coupling of thefirst and second pairs of electrical contacts 132, 134, 218, 219 forms aclosed circuit between the power source 215 and the light source 130,thereby activating the light source 130. Specifically, when the firstelectrical contact 132 of the first pair is coupled to the firstelectrical contact 218 of the second pair and the second electricalcontact 134 of the first pair is coupled to the second electricalcontact 219 of the second pair, the light source 130 may beautomatically activated to transmit UV light 222 to the tooth cleaningelements 111. Thus, when the first and second pairs of electricalcontacts 132, 134, 218, 219 are electrically coupled to one another, thelight source 130 is activated and transmits UV light 222 towards thetooth cleaning elements 111.

In FIG. 5, the cover 250 is illustrated coupled to the housing 210 ofthe case 200. The cover 250 and the housing 210 collectivelycircumferentially surround the oral care implement 100 along its entirelength. Thus, with the oral care implement 100 within the cavity 211 andthe cover 250 coupled to the housing 210, no portion of the oral careimplement 100 is exposed. Stated another way, the housing 210 and thecover 250 collectively form a fully enclosed volume of space, and theoral care implement 100 is entirely located within the enclosed volumeof space. In the exemplified embodiment, the housing 210circumferentially surrounds a majority of the length of the handleportion 110 of the body 101 and the cover 250 circumferentiallysurrounds the remainder of the handle portion 110 of the body 101 andthe head portion 120 of the body 101. Of course, the relative sizes ofthe housing 210 and the cover 250 may be adjusted/changed in someembodiments. For example, in some embodiments the housing 210 maysurround the oral care implement 100 along its entire length and thecover 250 may be a flat cap that just closes the open top end 221 of thehousing 210 without circumferentially surrounding any portion of theoral care implement 100.

Although in the exemplified embodiment the case 200 encloses theentirety of the oral care implement 100, the invention is not to be solimited in all embodiments. In other embodiments the case 200 may onlyenclose the head portion 120 of the oral care implement 100 includingthe tooth cleaning elements 111. In certain embodiments the head portion120 may be detachable from the handle portion 110, and the case 200 mayenclose the head portion 120 when it is separated from the handleportion 110. Alternatively, the handle portion 110 and the head portion120 may both be stored in the case 200, but in the detached state, whilestill accomplishing the inventive concepts described herein.

In certain embodiments, the cover 250 may be formed of an opaquematerial or may otherwise be formed of a material that the UV light 222cannot pass through. Thus, the UV light 222 may be transmitted towardsthe tooth cleaning elements 111 but the cover 250 prevents a user frombeing exposed to the UV light 222. The UV light 222 transmitted from thelight source 130 sanitizes the tooth cleaning elements 111 by killingbacteria and germs and preventing their growth. A wet environment istypically required for bacterial growth. Thus, bacterial growth is mostprevalent in the root of the tooth cleaning elements 111, because theportions of the tooth cleaning elements 111 that are spaced from thehead are better able to dry over time. Thus, it is preferable todirect/focus the UV light 222 at the root of the tufts of bristles toprevent bacterial growth.

As noted above, in certain embodiments activation of the light source130 may be automatic and may continue for a predetermined period of timebefore automatically shutting off. The processor 240 may be configuredto achieve this functionality. Specifically, in certain embodiments assoon as the first and second electrical coupling elements 105, 205(i.e., the electrical contacts 132, 134, 218, 219) are operably coupledtogether, the light source 130 is automatically activated to transmitthe UV light 222 for a predetermined period of time (i.e., five minutes,ten minutes, or any other desired time). After expiration of thepredetermined period of time, the processor 240 will cause the powersource 215 to stop supplying power to the light source 130, therebyterminating transmission of the UV light from the light source 130 tothe tooth cleaning elements 111. Thus, the processor 240 may beconfigured to activate the light source 130 for a predetermined periodof time and to then automatically deactivate the light source 130 afterexpiration of the predetermined period of time. However, the inventionis not to be so limited in all embodiments and in other embodiments auser may be required to adjust a manual switch to activate anddeactivate the light source 130 when the necessary electrical connectionis made between the electrical contacts 132, 134, 218, 219 of the oralcare implement 100 and the case 200. Such a switch may be positioned ata location on the oral care implement 100 or on the case 200.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative oral care implementsanitization system 1000 a is illustrated in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The oral care implementsanitization system 1000 a generally comprises an oral care implement100 a and a case 200 a. Only the differences between the oral careimplement 100 a and the oral care implement 100 described above and thedifferences between the case 200 a and the case 200 described above willbe discussed herein below. It should be appreciated that except asprovided herein below, the description of the oral care implement 100and the case 200 is applicable to this embodiment. The features of theoral care implement 100 a and the case 200 a will be similarly numberedto the features of the oral care implement 100 and the case 200 exceptthat the suffix “a” will be used. Thus, for features of the oral careimplement 100 a and the case 200 a that are numbered in the drawings butnot described, the similarly numbered feature of the oral care implement100 and the case 200 is applicable.

In this embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts 132 a, 134a of the first electrical coupling element 105 a are located at theproximal end 103 a of the handle portion 110 a of the body 101 a.Furthermore, the first and second electrical contacts 132 a, 134 a arerecessed relative to the outer surface of the body 101 a. Thus, thefirst and second electrical contacts 132 a, 134 a are fairly wellprotected against contact with water and are recessed so that they donot disturb a user's grip during use. A channel 235 a is formed into theoral care implement 100 a and extends from the proximal end 103 a of theoral care implement 100 a inwardly to the first and second electricalcontacts 132 a, 134 a.

The first and second electrical contacts 218 a, 219 a of the secondelectrical coupling element 205 a are located in the bottom portion ofthe first portion 212 a of the cavity 211 a to ensure that when the oralcare implement 100 a is inserted into the cavity 211 a, the first andsecond electrical contacts 218 a, 219 b of the case 200 a come intocontact with the first and second electrical contacts 132 a, 134 a ofthe oral care implement 100 a. FIG. 6 illustrates the system with theoral care implement 100 a ready for insertion into the case 200 a. FIG.87 illustrates the system with the oral care implement 100 a fullyinserted into the cavity 211 a of the case 200 a. As can be seen in FIG.7, when the oral care implement 100 a is inserted into the cavity 211 aof the case 200 a, the first pair of electrical contacts 132 a, 134 a ofthe oral care implement 100 a come into contact with the second pair ofelectrical contacts 218 a, 219 a of the case 200 a, which in turn causesactivation of the light source 130 a. More specifically, the electricalcontacts 218 a, 219 a of the case 200 a pass into the channels 235 a tomake contact with the electrical contacts 132 a, 134 a of the oral careimplement 100 a. The cover 250 a can be coupled to the housing 210 a tofully enclose the oral care implement 100 a and prevent or minimize userexposure to the UV light.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternative an oral care implementsanitization system 1000 b is illustrated in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The oral care implementsanitization system 1000 b generally comprises an oral care implement100 b and a case 200 b. Only the differences between the oral careimplement 100 b and the oral care implement 100 described above and thedifferences between the case 200 b and the case 200 described above willbe discussed herein below. It should be appreciated that except asprovided herein below, the description of the oral care implement 100and the case 200 is applicable to this embodiment. The features of theoral care implement 100 b and the case 200 b will be similarly numberedto the features of the oral care implement 100 and the case 200 exceptthat the suffix “a” will be used. Thus, for features of the oral careimplement 100 b and the case 200 b that are numbered in the drawings butnot described, the similarly numbered feature of the oral care implement100 and the case 200 is applicable.

In this embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts 132 b, 134b of the first electrical coupling element 105 b of the oral careimplement 100 are located at the proximal end 103 b of the oral careimplement 100 b, although other locations for the first and secondelectrical contacts 132 b, 134 b are within the scope of this embodimentas well. The main difference in this embodiment is that the first andsecond electrical contacts 132 b, 134 b are covered by an elastomericmaterial 140 b. Although in this embodiment the elastomeric material 140b forms the proximal end 103 b of the oral care implement 100 b, this isnot required in all embodiments. The first and second electricalcontacts 132 b, 134 b could be located on the front or rear surface ofthe handle portion 110 b of the oral care implement 100 b and theelastomeric material 140 b could simply cover them wherever they arelocated. Thus, the elastomeric material 140 b may have a dual functionof providing protection to the first and second electrical contacts 132b, 134 b and forming a gripping surface that is overlaid onto the handleportion 110 b to enhance gripability during use.

As seen in FIG. 9, when the oral care implement 100 b is placed into thecavity 211 b of the case 200 b, the first and second electrical contacts218 b, 219 b of the second electrical coupling element 205 c of the case200 b extend through the elastomeric material 140 to make contact withthe first and second electrical contacts 132 b, 134 b of the oral careimplement 100 b to supply power to the light source 130 b so that itgenerates UV light 222 b. The first and second electrical contacts 218b, 219 b of the case 200 b may have pointed ends to enable them to passthrough the elastomeric material 140 b. Alternatively, the elastomericmaterial 140 b may be formed with small passageways. Due to thecompressibility of the elastomeric material 140, when the oral careimplement 100 b is inserted into the cavity 211 b, the first and secondelectrical contacts 218 b, 219 b of the case 200 b will enter into thepassageways of the elastomeric material 140 b to enable the first andsecond electrical contacts 218 b, 219 b of the case 200 b to makecontact with the first and second electrical contacts 132 b, 134 b ofthe oral care implement 100 b. The malleability of the elastomericmaterial 140 b assists in enabling the electrical contacts 218 b, 219 bto pass therethrough. Thus, the elastomeric material 140 b will separatein the region of the passageways when the oral care implement 100 b isbeing inserted into the cavity 211 b as the electrical contacts 218 b,219 b of the case 200 b engage the elastomeric material 140 b.Furthermore, the elastomeric material 140 b will compress itself tosubstantially close the passageways when the oral care implement 100 bis removed from the cavity 211 b of the case 200 b and the electricalcontacts 218 b, 219 b of the case 200 b disengage from the elastomericmaterial 140 b.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate yet another embodiment of an oral care implementsanitization system 1000 c. Features of the oral care implementsanitization system 1000 c that are similar to features of the oral careimplement sanitization system 1000 described above with regard to FIGS.4 and 5 will be similarly numbered except that the suffix “c” will beused. It should be appreciated that for features of the oral careimplement sanitization system 1000 c that are numbered but notdescribed, the description of the similar feature with regard to theoral care implement sanitization system 1000 is applicable.

The oral care implement sanitization system 1000 c generally comprisesan oral care implement 100 c and a case 200 c. The oral care implement100 c comprises a body 101 c having a handle portion 110 c and a headportion 120 c. The head portion 120 c comprises a plurality of toothcleaning elements 111 c and a light source 130 c. The oral careimplement 100 c further comprises a first electrical coupling element105 c, which in the exemplified embodiment comprises a first electricalcontact 132 c and a second electrical contact 134 c, each of which isoperably coupled to the light source 130 c. In the exemplifiedembodiment the first electrical contact 132 c is located on a rearsurface of the handle portion 110 c and the second electrical contact134 c is located on a front surface of the handle portion 110 c.However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments andthe first and second electrical contacts 132 c, 134 c may be positionedat other locations along the oral care implement 100 c such as thatwhich has been described above.

The case 200 c generally comprises a housing 210 c and a cover 250 c.The housing 210 c comprises a cavity 211 c having an open top end 221 c.Furthermore, the housing 210 c contains a power source 215 c and asecond electrical coupling element 205 c, which in the exemplifiedembodiment comprises first and second electrical contacts 218 c, 219 c.In this embodiment, the first electrical contact 218 c is coupled to thepower source 215 c and the second electrical contact 219 c is notcoupled to the power source 215 c. In other embodiments, the secondelectrical contact 219 c may be coupled to the power source 215 c andthe first electrical contact 218 c may not be coupled to the powersource. This is done so that the light source 130 c is not automaticallyactivated upon the oral care implement 100 c being disposed within thecavity 211 c. Specifically, even when the first and second electricalcontacts 132 c, 134 c of the oral care implement 100 c are operablycoupled to the first and second electrical contacts 218 c, 219 c of thecase 200 c (FIG. 11), the circuit that includes the power source 215 cand the light source 130 c remains open so no power is transmitted tothe light source 130 c.

In the exemplified embodiment, the housing 210 c of the case 200 ccomprises a third electrical coupling element (or third electricalcontact) 248 c that is operably coupled to the power source 215 c and afourth electrical coupling element (or fourth electrical contact) 249 cthat is operably coupled to the second electrical contact 219 c. Thus,the first and third electrical contacts 218 c, 248 c are operablycoupled to the power source 215 c and the second and fourth electricalcontacts 219 c, 249 c are operably coupled to each other but not to thepower source 215 c.

The cover 250 c closes the open top end 221 c of the cavity 211 c whenthe cover 250 c is coupled to the housing 210 c. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the cover 250 c comprises a metal ring 251 c that functionsas an electrical coupling element or electrical contact for closing thecircuit between the power source 215 c and the light source 130 c asdiscussed in more detail below. Although a metal ring 251 c is used inthe exemplified embodiment, other structures, features, or the likecould be used in other embodiments to close the circuit to enableactivation of the light source 130 c.

FIG. 11 illustrates the oral care implement sanitization system 1000 cwith the oral care implement 100 c positioned within the cavity 211 c ofthe case 200 c but with the cover 250 c separated from the housing 210 c(or otherwise not covering the open top end 221 c of the housing 210 c).When the oral care implement 100 c is inserted into the cavity 211 c,the first electrical contact 132 c of the oral care implement 100 c isoperably coupled to the first 218 c electrical contact 218 c of the case200 c and the second electrical contact 134 c of the oral care implement100 c is operably coupled to the second electrical contact 219 c of thecase 200 c. However, in this state the light source 130 c remainsdeactivated because the circuit between the power source 215 c and thelight source 130 c is still open. The third and fourth electricalcontacts 248 c, 249 c need to be electrically coupled to one another toclose the circuit and activate the light source 130 c.

FIG. 12 illustrates the oral care implement sanitization system 1000 cwith the oral care implement positioned within the cavity 211 c of thecase 200 c and with the cover 250 c coupled to the housing 210 c. Whenthe cover 250 c is coupled to the housing 210 c, the metal ring 251 c ofthe cover 250 c becomes operably coupled to both the third and fourthelectrical contacts 248 c, 249 c of the housing 210 c, therebyelectrically coupling the third and fourth electrical contacts 248 c,249 c to each other. This coupling between the metal ring 251 c of thecover 250 c and the third and fourth electrical contacts 248 c, 249 c ofthe housing 210 c closes the circuit and permits power to be transmittedfrom the power source 215 c to the light source 130, thereby activatingthe light source 130 c to generate/transmit UV light 222 c.

Thus, in this embodiment the light source 130 c is unable to emit the UVlight 222 c until the cover 250 c is coupled to the housing 210 c toclose the open top end 221 c of the cavity 211 c of the housing 210 c.This ensures that the cover 250 c is properly in place before the lightsource 130 c begins to transmit the UV light 222 c. Thus, in embodimentswhere the cover 250 c is impenetrable to the UV light 222 c, the user isprotected from the UV light rays because the UV light rays are onlygenerated when the cover 250 c is in place. In all of the abovedescribed embodiments, the processor 240 c may be used as a timingcircuit to ensure activation of the light source 130 c is achievedautomatically upon the circuit being closed and continues for apredetermined period of time before being automatically deactivated asdescribed above.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the cover 250 c may beformed of an opaque material as described previously, or it may beformed of a transparent material or comprise a section that is formed ofa transparent material so that a user can tell that the light source 130c is activated. Specifically, the cover 250 c may include a window thatpermits a user to see that the light source 130 c is activated withoutplacing the user in danger due to the UV light. Alternatively, the cover250 c may include a fluorescing or phosphorescing material incorporatedtherein that is excited by the UV light transmitted by the light source130C. This would provide another technique for indicating to the userthat the light source 130 c is activated by visualization of theexcitation of the fluorescing or phosphorescing material in the cover250 c.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate yet another embodiment of an oral careimplement sanitization system 1000 d. Features of the oral careimplement sanitization system 1000 d that are similar to features of theoral care implement sanitization systems 1000-1000 c described abovewith regard to FIGS. 4-12 will be similarly numbered except that thesuffix “d” will be used. It should be appreciated that for features ofthe oral care implement sanitization system 1000 d that are numbered butnot described, the description of the similar feature with regard to theoral care implement sanitization systems 1000-1000 c is applicable.

In this embodiment, the oral care implement 100 d comprises a body 101 dcomprising a handle portion 110 d and a head portion 120 d. A pluralityof tooth cleaning elements 111 d extend from the head portion 120 d.Furthermore, the oral care implement 100 d comprises a light source 130d that is configured to sanitize the tooth cleaning elements 111 d. Thelight source 130 d is illustrated as being located in the head portion120 d, but it may be positioned at other locations within the body 101d. The oral care implement 100 d also comprises a first electricalcoupling element 105 d operably coupled to the light source 130 d. Inthis embodiment, the first electrical coupling element 105 d is asecondary (or receiver) coil that is configured to supply power to thelight source 130 d as described in more detail below.

In this embodiment, the case 200 d comprises a housing 210 d having acavity 211 d that is configured to hold the oral care implement 100 dtherein for storage and/or activation of the light source 130 d. Thecase 200 d also comprises a power source 215 d and a second electricalcoupling element 205 d. In this embodiment, the second electricalcoupling element 205 d is a primary (or transmitter) coil.

FIG. 13B illustrates the system 1000 d with the oral care implement 100d fully inserted into the cavity 211 d of the housing 210 d of the case200 d. When the oral care implement 100 d is positioned within the case200 d, the first and second electrical coupling elements 105 d, 205 dare positioned near one another such that they are spaced apart by adistance that is less than a predetermined threshold distance.Specifically, the first and second electrical coupling elements 105 d,205 d, which are primary and secondary coils, are positioned closeenough to one another to ensure that the first electrical couplingelement 105 d (i.e., secondary coil) is located within a magnetic fieldcreated by the second electrical coupling element 205 d (i.e., primarycoil).

Thus, the system 1000 d is capable of operation using inductive (orwireless) energy transfer rather than a direct contact-to-contactcoupling of electrical components. Specifically, when the oral careimplement 100 d is in the case 200 d, an alternating current may be sentto the second electrical coupling element 205 d (i.e., the primary coil)from a transmitter circuit. In the exemplified embodiment, thetransmitter circuit is included in the processor 240 d, although itcould be a separate component in other embodiments. The processor 240 dmay be coupled to the second electrical coupling element 205 d. Thus, atthe appropriate time the processor/transmitter circuit 240 d sends analternating current to the second electrical coupling element 205 d tocreate a magnetic field. The first electrical coupling element 105 d(i.e., secondary coil) of the oral care implement 100 d is located so asto be within the magnetic field of the second electrical couplingelement 205 d when the oral care implement 100 d is properly locatedwithin the case 200 d. The magnetic field generated by the secondelectrical coupling element 205 d results in the generation of a currentwithin the first electrical coupling element 205 d (i.e., the secondarycoil). Due to the operable coupling of the first electrical couplingelement 105 d to the light source 130 d, this current is transmitted tothe light source 130 d thereby activating the light source 130 d togenerate and transmit the UV light 222 d as described herein above withregard to previous embodiments. Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 13A/13Bdiffers from those previously described in that it uses induction towirelessly transmit energy from the power source 215 d in the case 200 dto the light source 130 d to activate the light source 130 d. Wirelesspower transfer can also be used with the additional concepts disclosedwith reference to FIGS. 10-12.

Referring now to FIG. 14A and 14B, a head 302 of an oral care implement300 is illustrated in cross-section. FIGS. 14A and 14B are similar tothat which is illustrated in FIG. 3B, except for the differencesdescribed herein. FIGS. 14A and 14B are substantially identical to oneanother except with regard to the location of an antibacterialenhancement material 360. This difference will be noted with some detailbelow.

The oral care implement 300 generally comprises a body 301 having ahandle portion 310 and a head portion 320. The head portion 320 has abasin 324 formed therein that is defined by a floor 325 and sidewalls326 extending from the floor 325 to a front surface 322 of the headportion 320. The head 302 of the oral care implement 300 also comprisesa head plate 321 having tooth cleaning elements 311 extending therefrom.The head plate 321 has a front surface 327 and an opposite rear surface328 and a plurality of tuft holes 329 extending therethrough. The toothcleaning elements 311 are coupled to the head plate 321 using AFT.Specifically, the tooth cleaning elements 311 are grouped together intotufts and then each of the tufts is inserted into one of the tuft holes329 of the head plate 321. The portions of the tufts that extend fromthe rear surface 328 of the head plate 321 are melted together to form amelt mat 335.

The head plate 321 with the tooth cleaning elements 311 coupled theretois inserted into the basin 324 and coupled to the head portion 320 usingtechniques described in detail above (such as ultrasonic welding or thelike). The head 302 also includes a light source 330 similar to thatwhich has been described above. The main difference in this embodimentrelative to those that were previously described is the inclusion of anantibacterial enhancement material 360 within the basin 324. In FIG.14A, the antibacterial enhancement material 360 is formed as an insertthat is located between the floor 325 of the basin 324 and the melt mat335. In FIG. 14B, the antibacterial enhancement material 360 is formedas an insert that is located between the melt mat 335 and the rearsurface 328 of the head plate 321. In both locations, the antibacterialenhancement material 360 is located between the light source 330 and therear surface 328 of the head plate 321. This ensures that light emittedfrom the light source 330 will pass through the antibacterialenhancement material 360 before passing onto the tooth cleaning elements311.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14B where the antibacterial enhancementmaterial 360 is located between the melt mat 335 and the rear surface328 of the head plate 321, the antibacterial enhancement material 360includes holes that permit the tufts of the tooth cleaning elements 311to pass therethrough. In FIG. 14A where the antibacterial enhancementmaterial 360 is located between the melt mat 335 and the light source330, the antibacterial enhancement material 360 may not include theholes because they are unnecessary due to the tooth cleaning elements311 not needing to pass through the antibacterial enhancement material360.

The antibacterial enhancement material 360 may be a mesh component thatcan be dropped into the basin 324 before the head plate 321 is insertedinto the basin 324 (FIG. 14A). Alternatively, the antibacterialenhancement material 360 may be a mesh component that can be disposedadjacent the rear surface 328 of the head plate 321 before the toothcleaning elements 311 are inserted into the tuft holes 329 of the headplate 321.

As alternatives to the location of the antibacterial enhancementmaterial 360 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the antibacterial enhancementmaterial may also be provided as a coating on or infusion into the toothcleaning elements 311, as a staple coating when staple technology isused to couple the tooth cleaning elements 311 to the head 302, or as acoating on or infusion into the head plate 321. In each of thesealternative embodiments, the light from the light source 330 will passthrough the antibacterial enhancement material before (or during)contact with the tooth cleaning elements 311 to enhance the sanitizationeffects of the UV light emitted from the light source 330. As notedabove, the antibacterial enhancement material may be titanium dioxide(TiO₂), silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), or tin dioxide (SnO₂), althoughother materials known for their antibacterial enhancement capabilitiesmay also be used in other embodiments.

Although the drawings provided herein illustrate a manual toothbrush, itshould be appreciated that the same techniques can be used for a poweredtoothbrush. Specifically, such a powered toothbrush may include a handleand a head that are detachably coupled together. The head may beconsidered a refill head. The handle includes a gripping portion and astem. The head includes a sleeve that couples to the stem of the handle.The handle and the head may be stored in a detached state such that thehandle and the head are stored in separate cavities/recesses within acase. Alternatively, the handle and the head may be stored in anattached state. Regardless, the head and the case may include theelectronic components described herein such that when the head is placedwithin the case, a light source in the head is activated to emit UVlight and sanitize the tooth cleaning elements. In some embodiments thecase may only store the head and not also the handle with the sameresults of activation of a UV light source being achieved.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral care implement sanitization systemcomprising: an oral care implement comprising: a body having a handleportion and a head portion, a plurality of tooth cleaning elementsextending from the head portion; a light source located in the headportion and configured to sanitize the plurality of tooth cleaningelements; and a first electrical coupling element operably coupled tothe light source; a case for storing the oral care implement andactivating the light source to sanitize the plurality of tooth cleaningelements, the case comprising: a housing comprising a cavity for holdingthe oral care implement; a power source; and a second electricalcoupling element operably coupled to the power source; and wherein whenthe oral care implement is positioned within the cavity of the housingof the case, the first electrical coupling element of the oral careimplement is operably coupled to the second electrical coupling elementof the case.
 2. The oral care implement sanitization system according toclaim 1 wherein the oral care implement further comprises a head platecoupled to the head portion of the body, the head portion of the bodycomprising a basin within which the head plate is disposed, and whereinthe plurality of tooth cleaning elements are coupled to and extend froma front surface of the head plate.
 3. The oral care implementsanitization system according to claim 2 wherein the head platecomprises the front surface, an opposite rear surface, and holesextending therethrough, wherein the plurality of tooth cleaning elementsextend through the holes so that first portions of the plurality oftooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface of the head plateand second portions of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements extendfrom the rear surface of the head plate, and wherein the second portionsof the plurality of tooth cleaning elements are melted together to forma melt mat that is positioned between the rear surface of the head plateand a floor of the basin of the head portion of the body.
 4. The oralcare implement sanitization system according to claim 3 wherein thelight source is located within the basin of the head portion of the bodybetween the melt mat and the floor of the basin, and wherein theplurality of tooth cleaning elements comprises light transmissivebristle filaments.
 5. The oral care implement sanitization systemaccording to claim 3 further comprising an antibacterial enhancementmaterial located in the basin between the light source and the rearsurface of the head plate, wherein the antibacterial enhancementmaterial is selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide,silver, zinc oxide, and tin dioxide.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The oral careimplement sanitization system according to claim 1 wherein the casefurther comprises a cover that closes an open top end of the cavity, andwherein the housing and the cover collectively circumferentiallysurround an entirety of the oral care implement such that no portion ofthe oral care implement is exposed.
 8. The oral care implementsanitization system according to claim 1 wherein the first electricalcoupling element comprises a first pair of electrical contacts that areexposed on an outer surface of the handle portion of the body.
 9. Theoral care implement sanitization system according to claim 1 wherein thefirst electrical coupling element comprises a first pair of electricalcontacts and the second electrical coupling element comprises a secondpair of electrical contacts, and further comprising an elastomericmaterial covering the first pair of electrical contacts, and whereinwhen the oral care implement is positioned within the cavity of thehousing of the case, the second pair of electrical contacts extendsthrough the elastomeric material and engages the first pair ofelectrical contacts to operably couple the first and second pairs ofelectrical contacts together.
 10. The oral care implement sanitizationsystem according to claim 1 further comprising a processor operablycoupled to the power source, and wherein upon the first and secondelectrical coupling elements becoming operably coupled, the processor isconfigured to activate the light source for a predetermined period oftime and to then automatically deactivate the light source afterexpiration of the predetermined period of time.
 11. The oral careimplement sanitization system according to claim 1 wherein the casefurther comprises a cover that is alterable between an open state and aclosed state, wherein when the first and second electrical couplingelements are operably coupled together and the cover is in the openstate, the light source is maintained in a deactivated state, andwherein when the first and second electrical coupling elements areoperably coupled together and the cover is in the closed state, thelight source is activated.
 12. The oral care implement according toclaim 1 wherein when the first and second electrical coupling elementsare operably coupled together, the light source is automaticallyactivated to transmit UV light to the plurality of tooth cleaningelements for a predetermined period of time.
 13. The oral care implementaccording to claim 1 wherein the second electrical coupling element is aprimary coil and the first electrical coupling element is a secondarycoil, and wherein the primary coil is inductively coupled to thesecondary coil when the primary and secondary coils are less than athreshold distance away from one another.
 14. A kit for storage andsanitization of a toothbrush, the kit comprising: a toothbrushcomprising: a body having a plurality of tooth cleaning elementsextending therefrom; a light source configured to sanitize the pluralityof tooth cleaning elements; and a first electrical coupling elementoperably coupled to the light source; a case comprising: a housinghaving a cavity for holding the toothbrush; a power source; and a secondelectrical coupling element operably coupled to the power source; andwherein when the toothbrush is positioned within the cavity of thehousing of the case, the first electrical coupling element is operablycoupled to the second electrical coupling element and the light sourceis activated to transmit UV light towards the plurality of toothcleaning elements.
 15. The kit according to claim 14 wherein thetoothbrush extends from a proximal end to a distal end along alongitudinal axis, and wherein the case circumferentially surrounds thetoothbrush along its entire length to fully enclose the toothbrushleaving no portion of the toothbrush exposed when the light source isactivated.
 16. The kit according to claim 14 wherein the toothbrushfurther comprises a head plate disposed within a basin of the body, thehead plate having a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and holesextending therethrough, and wherein the plurality of tooth cleaningelements extend through the holes in the head plate so that firstportions of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from thefront surface of the head plate and second portions of the plurality oftooth cleaning elements extend from the rear surface of the head plate,and wherein the second portions of the plurality of tooth cleaningelements are melted together to form a melt mat that is positionedbetween the rear surface of the head plate and a floor of the basin. 17.The oral care implement sanitization system according to claim 16further comprising an antibacterial enhancement material located in thebasin between the light source and the rear surface of the head plate,wherein the antibacterial enhancement material is selected from thegroup consisting of titanium dioxide, silver, zinc oxide, and tindioxide.
 18. The oral care implement sanitization system according toclaim 14 wherein the plurality of tooth cleaning elements comprise anantibacterial enhancement material.
 19. The oral care implementsanitization system according to claim 14 further comprising a processoroperably coupled to the power source, and wherein upon the first andsecond electrical coupling elements becoming operably coupled, theprocessor is configured to activate the light source for a predeterminedperiod of time and to then automatically deactivate the light sourceafter expiration of the predetermined period of time.
 20. The oral careimplement sanitization system according to claim 19 wherein the casefurther comprises a cover that closes an open top end of the cavity, andwherein the processor is configured to activate the light source for thepredetermined period of time only after the cover has closed the opentop end of the cavity.
 21. An oral care implement sanitization systemcomprising: an oral care implement comprising: a handle and a head thatis detachably coupled to the handle, a plurality of tooth cleaningelements extending from the head; a light source configured to sanitizethe plurality of tooth cleaning elements; and a first electricalcoupling element operably coupled to the light source; a case forstoring the oral care implement and activating the light source tosanitize the plurality of tooth cleaning elements, the case comprising:a housing comprising a cavity for holding the oral care implement; apower source; and a second electrical coupling element operably coupledto the power source; and wherein when the oral care implement ispositioned within the cavity of the housing of the case, the firstelectrical coupling element of the oral care implement is operablycoupled to the second electrical coupling element of the case and thelight source is activated for a predetermined period of time. 22.(canceled)